An elderly veteran helped take down a home invasion suspect Tuesday morning at his senior care facility, the Citrus Heights Police Department said.

Charles George, 88, fought the suspect and called for help when his apartment was broken into, Sgt. Wesley Herman said. Within an hour, the suspect was taken into custody by police.

Advertisement

“Our officers were able to locate the suspect based on the timely information provided by Mr. George and the great investigative instincts by our patrol officers,” Herman said in a news release. “His capture will no doubt prevent future members of our community from becoming victims.”

The break-in happened around 6 a.m. at the Crosswood Oaks Apartments. George woke up to find the suspect stealing from him. Herman said George then confronted the suspect and fought him. During the fight, George was forced to the ground, but he got back up and kept fighting, calling for help from the facility staff at the same time.

When security arrived, the suspect was heard running from the scene and they called police. Herman said officers arrived within minutes and started searching for the suspect.

In less than an hour later, the suspect, identified at 37-year-old Benjamin Tremper, was found in a wooded area nearby, trying to change his appearance. The officers also found George’s stolen property.

Tremper was released on parole 54 days ago, police said. He served 13 years in prison for violent felonies, including home invasion robbery, carjacking and soliciting another to commit murder.

Herman said Tremper was booked into Sacramento County Jail on charges of home invasion robbery, residential burglary, false imprisonment with violence, cruelty of an elder adult, possession of stolen property and a parole violation. He is being held without bail.

According to photos released by the police department, George looks to be in good health after his fight with the suspect. He even posed for a photo with the officers who arrested the suspect